Free Republic

Israel's armed forces have released dramatic footage of the moment elite troops retook control of a checkpoint overrun by Hamas, and freed 250 hostages. Video from body cameras worn by members of the Flotilla 13 elite unit was released on Thursday evening. The naval commando unit - the equivalent of the U.S. Navy SEALS - is specialized in counter terrorism. Bodies are seen on the floor of one darkened room. It is not known if they were hostages or terrorists.

Republicans are now favored to retake the Senate on November 8, forecaster FiveThirtyEight predicted Tuesday for the first time since July. FiveThirtyEight estimated Republicans are favored to take back the Senate with 51 seats. The Senate is currently split 50/50 with Vice President Kamala Harris as the tie-breaking vote. The pollster appears to have shifted the Nevada race in favor of Republicans. Nevada Republican Adam Laxalt is challenging Democrat Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).

Analysts at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics released an analysis on Wednesday, less than two weeks before the midterms, stating that the Republicans will regain the majority in the House. “We now rate 218 House seats — the magic number for winning a majority — as at least Leans Republican in our House ratings,” the Center for Politics’ Kyle Kondik said in his analysis on Wednesday, meaning if the analysis is correct, GOP candidates will win the number of seats needed for the majority.

Democrats are increasingly selling a comeback narrative that they believe will help them defend Congress in the 2022 midterm elections — and Republicans have been slow to respond with a clear argument as to why voters should choose them. The comeback story goes like this:

Minister Yuval Steinitz of Likud warned Sunday that Israel may be forced to retake control of Gaza and topple the Hamas regime. In an interview with goverment-run Voice of Israel Radio, Steinitz said that Israel “will not tolerate” Hamas's growing rocket arsenal. The minister's warning came two days after two Israeli soldiers were killed in a clash with terrorists in Gaza. Gaza terrorists have increased the frequency of their rocket attacks on southern Israel in recent weeks; several days ago, a rocket killed a Thai worker on a kibbutz [communal settlement].

Mississippi Governor: GOP Should Work to Re-take White House in 2012 Possible 2012 contender Haley Barbour says the Republican Party should use its time now as the "out" party to rebuild and better position itself to re-take the White House in 2012. Serafin Gomez FOXNews.com Saturday, July 18, 2009 Even though the GOP has suffered significant losses in the last two national elections, Mississippi governor and possible 2012 contender Haley Barbour says the Republican Party should use its time now as the "out" party to rebuild and better position itself to re-take the White House in 2012. "People have been...

Here is audio of President Barack Obama retaking the Presidential Oath of Office on January 21, 2009. He did so as a result of a flub that took place on Inauguration Day when Chief Justice John Roberts mixed up the words of the Oath, and Obama repeated it incorrectly. Roberts again administered the Oath at the White House on the evening of January 21, 2009. No video was allowed, but this audio has been released. . . . . (Listen to audio)